I've had these rollfilm holders on a Busch Pressman C and a Century Graphic for several months, and am still unsure about how to use them. Let's try this with Kodak Portra 400 color film, my favorite film.

First, you put the new, unexposed film on the left side, held on by two little cylindrical pieces. Then you pull the film to the left and around the holder, and insert the film in a little slot on the take-up reel. Make sure the black side of the backing paper faces outward. Then you turn the takeup knob and close the film holder.

Now we come to the part that leaves me baffled. The exposure counter is now a little past 8 or 12, depending on whether the film holder is a "22" GRAPHIC or "23" GRAPHIC. At some point, you turn exposure counter to the arrow or S. My question is "When?". Once you do this, you can turn the knob until its on "1" and then take pictures on the remaining film.

The link provided is for Graflex Rapid-Vance 120
Roll Film Holder, i.e. RH/8, 10 or 12, not "22" or "23" GRAPHIC.

Furthermore, the instructions don't apply to a "22" or "23" GRAPHIC film holder/back.

"3 Attaching Film to take-up spool. . . . Actuate the advance lever until the last number (8, 10 or 12) on the exposure counter passes the white line and the counter no longer turns." On the "22" or "23" GRAPHIC, once the last number on the exposure counter passes the white line, the counter turns indefinitely.

"Continue to actuate the lever until the marker on the backing of the film is opposite the arrow on the inside of film carriage (fig.4.) Turn the exposure counter in the direction of the arrow -- toward "S" until it clicks into place and cannot be turned further." Which marker on the film backing? It looks as if any marker is too late._________________Dan

"3 Attaching Film to take-up spool. . . . Actuate the advance lever until the last number (8, 10 or 12) on the exposure counter passes the white line and the counter no longer turns."

On the "22" or "23" GRAPHIC, once the last number on the exposure counter passes the white line, the counter turns indefinitely.

I have a Graphic 23 roll holder (knob wind) in front of me. Wind the knob until the counter no longer turns when the knob is wound or the lever is actuated. It will go a little beyond the white line before this happens.

Put the new spool of film in the feed side of the carriage, wrap the film around the carriage and attach it to the take-up spool.

Quote:

"Continue to actuate the lever until the marker on the backing of the film is opposite the arrow on the inside of film carriage (fig.4.) Turn the exposure counter in the direction of the arrow -- toward "S" until it clicks into place and cannot be turned further."

Which marker on the film backing? It looks as if any marker is too late.

Advance the film until the first "up" arrow that appears is aligned with the white arrow under the top of the carriage. This will happen when the take-up spool has made roughly one turn. It is easy to wind the take-up spool too far.

As you look at the carriage from the rear, the white arrow will be to the left of the vertical post in the middle.

Put the carriage back in the shell, close the shell, turn the counter towards "S" until it clicks, then wind the film on until it stops. At this point the film counter will be at "1" and you'll be ready to go.

1. put an empty take up spool in the right side under the wind knob and turn the wind knob to verify that the spool turns freely and the advance is at the end of roll position, if not release the frame lock and advance until it is.
2. put a fresh roll of film in the left side so that the paper comes off between the film spool and left guide roller.
3. remove said film's paper lock band.
4. pull the backing paper out around the left guide roller, across the film pressure plate, around the right guide roller ensuring the paper is between the guides of that roller and into the center slot of the take up spool.
5. advance the take up spool until the arrow on the film spool is aligned with the arrow on the top inside of the film holder insert. The lead edge of the backing paper coming out of the take up spool should be locked against the backing paper coming onto the take up spool, if not remove the take up spool and reattach the backing paper to it.
6. with the backing paper locked into the take up spool and the film supply arrows aligned close the shell cover.
7. ensure the darkslide is installed or the camera shutter is closed whichever is appropriate.
8. turn the frame dial to S.
9. turn the wind knob until it locks at frame 1.

sound similar to the rapidvance instructions????_________________The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.